iPhone 12 ‘could see through mist and fog’ with new Spectral Edge camera, report claims
THE NEXT iPhone could feature a high-tech camera that lets you take photos through mist and fog.
That's because Apple has bought up British camera firm Spectral Edge, which specialises in building tech that makes photos crisper.
Specifically, Spectral Edge, based in Cambridge, uses infrared and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost the quality of photos.
Apple's purchase of the company, first reported by Bloomberg, means its technology could soon make its way into the cameras of new iPhones.
Details of the buyout are yet to be revealed by either company, though filings at Companies House suggest the California firm is now in full control of Spectral Edge.
The camera company has a number of left-field projects that should excite Apple fans.
Back in 2016, the firm's managing director Christopher Cytera revealed infrared sensors were key to taking better photos in misty and foggy conditions.
"It's bringing extra detail into the picture that you can’t necessarily see with a normal camera, because infrared penetrates through mist and fog much better than visible light," Christopher told .
"And so when you have a picture with a little bit of mist, little bit of fog you get a much more stunning effect.
"The secret sauce is being able to combine the infrared with the visible light picture in a way that’s pleasing.
"There’s been other techniques to combine the two in the past but they don’t end up with pictures that are nice to look at."
Apple's camera systems are already loaded with AI to help users take the perfect photos.
The iPhone 11 Pro, released in September, came with a cracking triple-camera array that featured "Deep Fusion" technology.
It blends several photos together pixel by pixel to improve shots taken in low-light conditions.
Apple is not expected to release a new iPhone until September 2020, so there's plenty of time to integrate the new tech into its new handsets.
Rumours suggest Apple is primed for a radical redesign for the iPhone 12.
For a start, they will apparently do away with the "notch" on the front of the display.
Ever since 2017's iPhone X, Apple has had a small notch that juts into the top of the screen.
It houses the selfie camera and scanners for the Face ID unlocking system, allowing Apple to have a nearly all-screen front.
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But Android rivals are increasingly doing away with the notch altogether, so it's possible Apple will follow suit.
Another key change is the framing of the device – the iPhone 12 will apparently have squared-off metal edging.
Ever since the iPhone 6, Apple has used smooth and curved edges.
But previous phones like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 had had square edges, which proved very popular with fans.
Many are hoping Apple will return to this more industrial design style with the iPhone 12.
Of course, Apple hasn't officially confirmed the phone exists yet, so take all rumours with a pinch of salt.
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In other news, Apple could be planning to launch five new iPhones in 2020.
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Do you plan on nabbing one of next year's iPhones? Let us know in the comments!
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